General Information

Program residents live on the Barnard campus in Sulzberger Hall, a modern air-conditioned facility equipped with high-speed internet connections. Students live in double and triple rooms and roommates are assigned based on students' responses to a housing questionnaires. Monday to Friday breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunches and dinner are included in the cost of the program.

All students in residence are guided by a carefully selected group of Barnard Resident Assistant and are supervised by the Associate Director of Residential Life, a full-time administrator.

If you live on campus, your Resident Assistant (RA) will become a very important resource and friend during your stay. Hall meetings are arranged as well as hall activities. In addition, living with a roommate within a real college dormitory setting is an important part of your pre-college experience.

Commuting Students

Students who live in the greater New York City metropolitan area may choose to attend the four-week or one-week sessions as commuters. Commuters may occasionally arrange to stay overnight in the residence hall at a moderate cost on a space available basis. Commuters may enjoy meals in our dining facilities while on campus.

Student Evaluation Information

In most of our programs, in lieu of an official transcript, classroom instructors provide an evaluation on official letterhead for each student. This policy places a greater emphasis on the journey of learning, rather than a grade. If you would like to submit your instructor evaluation(s) as part of a regular college application, you may send the evaluation directly to your college(s) of choice. Since our office does not provide official transcripts, your evaluation does not need to be sent directly from our office. Please note that these evaluations are not letters of recommendation, but are rather informational regarding the content of the class(es) and evaluative regarding a student's performance. Please note that our courses are not for college credit.

Social Policy & Guidelines

If you enroll in Barnard's summer programs, you must be capable of assuming responsibility for your behavior and willing to comply with all regulations designed to protect the health and safety of all participants. You are required to attend all classes, Beyond the Gates sessions, or Leadership Institute workshops; residential students must comply with sign-out procedures and observe curfews. In keeping with college policy and legal restrictions, smoking and the use of drugs and alcohol are strictly prohibited. Unacceptable student conduct will result in disciplinary action and/or dismissal. Details of the social policy are sent to each admitted applicant.

Safety & Security

Your safety is one of our highest priorities. Morningside Heights, the neighborhood in which Barnard is located, is among the safest in Manhattan based on New York City Police Department statistics. When you arrive on campus, you will have an orientation to New York City "street smarts" with a member of the Barnard Safety and Security Staff so you learn to be alert and aware of yourself and others. 24-hour desk attendants monitor the residence halls, and only those with Barnard identification may enter. Security guards also staff booths on the perimeter of the Barnard campus.

You also play a role in assuring your own safety by complying with the program's 11:30 p.m. curfew Sunday through Thursday, and the midnight curfew on Friday and Saturday. Students who go off campus when they are not in class must sign out in a logbook and sign in when they return. Curfew and sign-in/sign-out procedures are taken very seriously by the program's director and college officials; violating these policies will result in disciplinary action and/or dismissal.

Disability Services

Barnard serves students with a broad range of temporary and permanent disabilities, including visual, mobility, and hearing impairments, as well as students with hidden disabilities. The Barnard campus is also wheelchair accessible. The buildings on campus interconnect and have special features and access routes. Regular counseling sessions are not available for summer program students.

Travel Information

Barnard College is easily accessible from all New York City metropolitan area airports, train and bus stations, as well as by car. Students commuting to campus daily take the #1 Broadway local train, or one of the several buses (M-104, M-4, or M-60) directly to Barnard. All admitted students receive detailed travel instruction.

On and Off Campus Activities

Every day after class and occasionally during lunch hours, activities and excursions are planned to various places all over NYC, as well as right on Barnard’s campus. These excursions are often led by Barnard College students who work in the summer either as Resident Assistants or Program Coordinators. There is also a wide range of activities suggested for students who would like to venture out in Manhattan on their own, or with friends (as long as they are mindful of the rules!).

Broadway Shows

You cannot visit New York City without seeing at least one Broadway show! Every summer about six to seven Broadway shows are offered at discounted prices by the Evening and Weekend Coordinator. You are also encouraged to look into any additional shows that may be of interest to you. There are various ways in which you can get discounted tickets on the day of any show.

NYC Sightseeing

We make sure that you are given the opportunity to visit many of the major New York City attractions through our organized excursions. Some of the must-sees include the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, the Brooklyn Bridge, and much more! Experience walking tours through Chinatown, Wall Street, Harlem, the High Line. The list goes on and on.

Outdoor Performances

Summer is a great time to be in NYC, especially because of the numerous concerts, performances, and movies that take place right outside in NYC parks. Some of these events include performances at the Central Park SummerStage, Seaport Music Festival, Hudson River Festival, New York Philharmonic in Central Park, Shakespeare in the Park, Madison Square Music and the Bryant Park Film Series.

Restaurant Outings

After Broadway, New York City is best known for its diverse restaurant options. At least once a week, a group restaurant outing is arranged, and each week the cuisine is different. In the past we have taken students for Greek, Chinese, Italian, Spanish, and Indian food. Oh, and let’s not forget milkshakes at Tom’s, lattes at The Hungarian Pastry Shop and, of course, chocolate anything at Max Brenner’s.

NY Neighborhood Searches

The most fascinating thing about New York City is how diverse it is. You could be walking down the street and within a matter of minutes go from Chinatown to Little Italy. You will be amazed at how different the city culture is depending on whether you are simply uptown, downtown, or on the West Side or the East Side. Knowing this, your Program Coordinator arranges various tours of all the major neighborhoods in the city from SoHo to Harlem to Greenwich Village.

Fitness Activities

We offer optional gym memberships at the Columbia gym to 4-week Pre-College Program participants for a minimal charge. In addition to on-campus get-fit activities, various outdoor fitness activities are also offered. In the past we've had fitness and nature walks, yoga in the park as well as yoga on the Hudson, in addition to salsa dancing at Lincoln Center and bicycle riding in Central Park.

Theatre & Dance

The NYC arts scene includes so much more beyond Broadway! If you are taking an acting or dance class while at the program, you will most likely attend a dance or acting performance as part of your course requirements. The Program Coordinator will also arrange excursions to all sorts of additional performances.

TV Studio Visits

Over the summer the Today Show offers a concert series where famous artists are invited to perform for free. The only catch is that you need to wake up VERY early in order to be there by 6AM. Apart from the Today Show there are various other studio tours available which your Program Coordinator can tell you more about. Past summer outings have included tours and tapings at The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and tours of the NBC studios.

Museum Visits

New York City contains many of the greatest museums in the world from the Frick to the MET, Whitney, MOMA, the Guggenheim and beyond. No art class at Barnard is complete without using the great resources of our city as an extension of the classroom. In addition, while in New York you are encouraged to take advantage of the group excursions or even just go with a group of friends or solo to enjoy our cultural riches.